Nigeria Beat Lesotho by 7 Wickets — Akachukwu's 4 for 14 Sets Up a Title Decider Against Uganda

Nigeria have made a habit of this at home. Lesotho were bowled out for 62 in 12.5 overs, with only their captain, Ts'episo Chaoana, getting past 20, and Nigeria reached 65 for 3 in 7.4 overs. It was not entirely smooth: the hosts lost three wickets for 12 at the start of the chase. But Ridwan Abdulkareem and Miracle Akhigbe steadied it, and Nigeria won by 7 wickets.

It was Nigeria's fourth win in four games, after beating Gambia by 160 runs, Zambia by 9 wickets and Mozambique by 7 wickets. Nigeria and Uganda are both on eight points and both through to the 2027 Africa Regional Final, and they play each other on Sunday.

Chima Akachukwu did most of the damage with 4 for 14 in 3.5 overs, and the other bowlers barely let Lesotho score at all. Elochukwu Ndubudem took 2 for 4 in two overs, Kenneth Boniface 2 for 14 and Mohameed Taiwo 1 for 2. Lesotho never had a partnership that lasted.

The chase was the only part of the evening that gave Nigeria something to think about. They were three down with 12 on the board, the kind of start that could cause problems against a better attack. Ridwan Abdulkareem (28 not out off 18) and Miracle Akhigbe (26 not out off 25) put on the rest without being separated. Abdulkareem scored quickly and Akhigbe held the other end, and it was over well before halfway.

Ts'episo Chaoana hit three fours and a six in 26 off 18 balls, which was 42% of Lesotho's total. Nobody else stayed with him. This is the second day running Lesotho have been bowled out cheaply: on Friday they were all out for 58 against Zambia after being 46 for 1. They beat Mozambique by 74 runs earlier in the week, so the batting has shown it can do better. In the last two games, though, it has been beaten by disciplined bowling, and the lesson is about building a partnership when wickets fall rather than trying to hit out of trouble.

Earlier on the same day Mozambique were bowled out for 19 by Uganda, so the bowlers have had the better of it in Abuja. Nigeria losing three quick wickets in the chase showed there was still something in the surface for bowlers who hit a good length. Once a batter got in, though, runs came quickly: Nigeria got 65 in 46 balls.

This match didn't have a CricIntel preview — we'll have full analysis for the next encounter.

Nigeria (8 points, NRR +6.171) play Uganda (8 points, NRR +6.559) at NCF Oval 1 on Sunday, October 25. Both are already through to the 2027 Africa Regional Final, so the game decides who tops Qualifier C. Uganda have bowled out Gambia and Mozambique for under 30 this week; Nigeria have the home crowd and an unbeaten record of their own. Lesotho finish against Gambia on Sunday.